This document defines and provides examples of four types of sentence structures: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. A simple sentence contains one independent clause. A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction, semicolon, or conjunctive adverb. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one dependent clause. A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses as well as at least one dependent clause. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of sentence structure.

1. SENTENCE
STRUCTURE

2. Sentence Structure Types
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex

3. Simple Sentence

4. ARE MADE OF ONE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE AND
THEREFORE FORM A COMPLETE
THOUGHT.
Simple sentences

5. Compound Sentence

6. ARE MADE OF TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
JOINED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
1 . A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION WITH A
COMMA
2. A SEMICOLON WITH A CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB
3. A SEMICOLON ONLY
Compound Sentences

7. Compound Sentence
with a Coordinating Conjunction
 Example with a Coordinating Conjunction
I like to dance, but Jim likes to sing.
Independent
Clause
Coordinating
Conjunction
Independent
Clause

8. Compound Sentence
with a Conjunctive Adverb and Semicolon
 Conjunctive adverbs are sometimes called
“floating” adverbs because they can be positioned
at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a
clause.
 Some common conjunctive adverbs:
 Moreover
 However
 Otherwise
 Therefore

9. “Floating” Conjunctive Adverb
 Bob is handsome; moreover, he is rich.
 Bob is handsome; he is, moreover, rich.
 Bob is handsome; he is rich, moreover.

10. Compound Sentence
with a Semicolon
 “If the relation between the ideas expressed in the
main clauses is very close and obvious without a
conjunction, you can separate the clauses with a
semicolon.”
(Little, Brown Handbook, 9th Edition, p. 361)
 Example: Tom has benefited from exercising; he is
slim and energetic.

11. Complex Sentence

12. Complex Sentence
 contain one independent and one subordinate
(dependent) clause
 the subordinate clause begins with a
subordinate conjunction
 the clauses can appear in any order

13. Complex Sentence
 After the sun set, we built a campfire.
 We built a campfire after the sun set.
Dependent
Clause
Independent
Clause
Dependent
Clause
Independent
Clause
*Note the comma
when the dependent
clause comes at the
beginning of a
sentence.

14. Compound-Complex
Sentence

15.  contains one subordinate (dependent) clause
 two or more independent clauses
 Example: Since we wanted to have fun, my
boyfriend and I went to San Juan yesterday,
and we danced all night.
Compound-Complex Sentence

16. Exercises

17. 1. The bell rang.
2. Bridget ran the first part of the race, and Tara
biked the second part.
3. He stands at the bottom of the cliff while the
climber moves up the rock.
4. The skier turned and jumped.
5. Naoki passed the test because he studied hard
and he understood the material.
Indicate if the following sentences are:
Simple, compound, complex or compound-complex.

18. Answers
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Simple
5. Compound-complex

19. 1. Because Kayla has so much climbing experience ,
we asked her to lead our group.
2. You and I need piano lessons.
3. I planned to go to the hockey game, but I couldn’t
get tickets.
4. Dorothy likes white water rafting, but she also
enjoys kayaking.
5. There are many problems to solve before this
program can be used, but engineers believe that
they will be able to solve them soon.
Indicate if the following sentences are:
Simple, compound, complex or compound-complex.

20. Answers
1. Complex
2. Simple
3. Compound
4. Compound
5. Compound-complex

21. References
Writing Academic English, Second Edition, by Alice
Oshima and Ann Hogue. White Plains: Addison, Wesley,
Longman, 1999.
The Little, Brown Handbook, by H. Ramsey Fowler and
Jane E. Aaron, Pearson, 2004.